By Bethany Bray
Staff Writer
—
With the Andover Education Association's contract set to expire Aug. 31, School Committee members and leadership from the 800-member union have met four times over the summer.
School Committee member Paula Colby-Clements and Chairman Dennis Forgue confirmed this week they've met with union leadership over the summer to negotiate a new contract, but could not comment further.
In June, the AEA filed a complaint with the state's Division of Labor Relations claiming that the School Committee had ignored requests to begin contract negotiations. AEA President Tom Meyers said union officials tried to meet with the School Committee beginning in October 2009.
In May, Naomi Stonberg, lawyer for the School Committee, wrote a letter claiming the committee "has been and has always been committed to negotiating in good faith," but was previously occupied with crafting the 2010-11 school year budget and hiring a new superintendent.
"To my understanding, there is no change in that status," said Forgue this week of the AEA complaint. "It has been referred to our labor counsel."
The AEA represents about 800 school employees, including teachers, secretaries, licensed practical nurses and instructors.
Colby-Clements said there is no way to tell how soon a contract agreement may be reached.
"You set up meetings and try to make progress at every meeting," she said.
Calls to AEA President Tom Meyers and the School Committee's new lawyer, Elizabeth Valerio were not returned by deadline.
